Dr Michael Yung: Top surgeon is fighting for life after being viciously bashed by thugs in terrifying home invasion

A highly respected surgeon is fighting for life in hospital after being attacked in his own home by a gang of thugs.

Dr Michael Yung - an intensive care paediatrician - was viciously assaulted by multiple attackers who broke into his home on James St in Gilberton, Adelaide, about 4.20am on Monday.

The 62-year-old was rushed to Royal Adelaide Hospital where he was placed into an induced coma following emergency surgery.

Police have declared the incident a major crime and launched a large-scale manhunt for the gang of 'multiple assailants'. 

Investigations are now focusing on a spate of break-ins at nearby homes in the hours and days prior.   

CCTV footage from homes in neighbouring suburbs shows five young people roaming the streets of Dutton Terrace and Medinde, some of Adelaide's most affluent suburbs, and attempting to break into mansions.

Footage from another home, taken just moments before the attack, shows five people wearing tracksuits walking along the street before trying to break into the home.

One of the thugs, wearing gloves and what appears to be a Gucci bag, can be seen attempting to unlock the front door before calmly walking away.

It is unclear whether the the group trying to break into the home is linked to the attack on Dr Yung.

Three residents of Gilberton, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Advertiser that they had recently been victims of break-ins.

One of which reported that police had been patrolling the area more at night while another said she had to install CCTV cameras after thieves jumped over her gate and stole a bike.

Patrol officers and detectives from the Major Crime and Eastern District units are all assisting in investigations while specialist forensic officers are examining the scene. 

Anyone with dashcam footage of the surrounding area from 3.30-5am or information related to the incident have been urged to contact police.

Dr Yang's 30-year-old son who lives at the home was found uninjured and is not being treated as a suspect.

Other members of the doctor's family, including a second son, are now travelling from interstate and overseas to be by his side.

A Colleague of Dr Yang's, who now works as a senior emergency department consultant at the Woman's and Children's Hospital, said the team are 'devastated' by the attack.

'It is incomprehensible... With all of our easy lives, this is just awful,' a close friend said.

'It's hard to describe how much we admired, and still admire, Michael.'

South Australian Health Minister Chris Picton said Dr Yung - the former head of Adelaide's Women's and Children's Hospital's paediatric intensive care unit - had  previously come to the aid of some of the state's 'sickest children'. 

Mr Picton said the incident is an opportunity for the state to support Dr Yang and his family in return for his unwavering work in paediatrics. 

'This is an incredibly sad day for all of the Women's and Children's Hospital and SA Health family,' he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

'Dr Michael Yung has been there for so many South Australian children and families at their darkest times.

'Over the past few years I've been witness to Michael's incredible intellect and compassion - completely and totally dedicated to the care of the children of our state. 

'My thoughts are with him and his family, friends and colleagues during this terrible time.'

The incident comes just three years after his health policy expert wife, Kathryn Browne-Yung, suddenly died in her sleep in March 2020.

Shortly after her death Dr Yung created a $5,000 scholarship to support Indigenous medical students in the name of his 'kind, thoughtful and intelligent' wife.